Savannah Convention Center reports strong bookings after expansion, requests $5 million for riverwalk repairs

Kelvin Moore, senior vice president and general manager of the Savannah Convention Center, updated the subcommittee on operations after a $276,000,000 expansion that doubled the facility’s size. Moore said the center has 320 events booked through fiscal 2031, with 215 events using the expanded space, and reported strong FY25 performance metrics including increased customer satisfaction.

Moore asked the committee to support a $5,000,000 line item in the governor's amended budget for riverwalk bulkhead repairs and related capital completion work, describing the project as both a safety and connectivity improvement that will better integrate the campus with surrounding Savannah destinations. He said the authority had self-funded substantial capital work historically and thanked the governor and legislature for prior support on expansion funding.

Committee members asked about transportation links to the island site and private investment on Hutchins Island; Moore said Chatham Area Transit and Chatham County are working on longer-term solutions and that private investment and amenities are developing around the hotel and campus.

What’s next: the committee collected the presentation and asked for details on the riverwalk scope and schedule; no vote occurred during the hearing.